Eyelash curler and method of using same

ABSTRACT

An eyelash curling device is adapted to curl a user&#39;s eyelashes and includes a first arm having a first end and a second end, a second arm having a first end and a second end, the second arm joined to the first arm, and an applicator including an upper shell that is attached to the first end of the first arm, and a lower shell that is attached to the first end of the second arm. A surface of the upper shell may have a concave shape that extends about 90 degrees or greater from one side to another side. A surface of the lower shell may have a concave shape that extends about 101 degrees or greater from one side to another side.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The following description relates to an eyelash curling device oreyelash curler. Also, a method of using an eyelash curler is described.For example, an eyelash curler is a cage-free curler having anapplicator with upper and lower shells having outer surfaces formingconcave semi-circular shapes.

2. Related Art

Eyelash curling devices are used for the curling of a user's eyelashesto embellish the appearance of the eyelashes. Typical curlers mayinclude two arms that are separable for opening and closing two eyelashcurling elements that receive a user's eyelashes. As the user presses onthe eyelashes, the eyelashes become more curved and have a fullerappearance. Typical curlers include a cage element that is formed by theconnection of the arms with the eyelash curling elements at the front ofthe curlers. Eyelash curlers are typically curved in shape and form aconcave outer surface for curling the eyelashes. Eyelash curlingelements are typically short in height and extend a short distance abouta concave curvature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect, an apparatus adapted to curl a user's eyelashes includes afirst arm having a first end and a second end, a second arm having afirst end and a second end, the second arm joined to the first arm, andan applicator including an upper shell that is attached to the first endof the first arm, and a lower shell that is attached to the first end ofthe second arm, wherein a surface of the upper shell is configured toface the user's eyelashes and has a concave curve that extendsapproximately 90 degrees or greater from one side to another side.

In another aspect, an apparatus adapted to curl a user's eyelashesincludes a first arm having a first end and a second end, a second armhaving a first end and a second end, the second arm joined to the firstarm, and an applicator including an upper shell that is attached to thefirst end of the first arm, and a lower shell that is attached to thefirst end of the second arm, where a surface of the lower shell isconfigured to face the user's eyelashes and has a concave curve thatextends approximately 101 degrees or greater from one side to anotherside.

In yet another aspect, an apparatus adapted to curl a user's eyelashesincludes a first arm having a first end and a second end, a second armhaving a first end and a second end, the second arm joined to the firstarm, and an applicator including an upper shell that is attached to thefirst end of the first arm; and a lower shell that is attached to thefirst end of the second arm, where an edge of the upper shell comprisesa first endpoint, a second endpoint, and a midpoint, and a lineextending through the first endpoint and the midpoint forms an acuteangle with a line that is parallel to an extension of the first end ofthe first arm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description,will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appendeddrawings. For the purpose of illustration, there is shown in thedrawings certain embodiments of the present disclosure. It should beunderstood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown. The accompanying drawings,which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification,illustrate an implementation of systems and apparatuses consistent withthe present invention and, together with the description, serve toexplain advantages and principles consistent with the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example of aneyelash curler including an applicator having an upper shell and a lowershell.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a front elevation view of the exampleof the eyelash curler including the applicator having the upper shelland the lower shell.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a back elevation view of the example ofthe eyelash curler including the applicator having the upper shell andthe lower shell.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a top elevation view of the example ofthe eyelash curler including the applicator having the upper shell andthe lower shell.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a bottom elevation view of the exampleof the eyelash curler including the applicator having the upper shelland the lower shell.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a side elevation view of the example ofthe eyelash curler including the applicator having the upper shell andthe lower shell.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a front elevation view of the exampleof the applicator having the upper shell and the lower shell.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a top elevation view of the example ofthe applicator having the upper shell and the lower shell.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a back elevation view of the example ofthe applicator having the upper shell and the lower shell.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a side elevation view of the exampleof the applicator having the upper shell and the lower shell.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of the example of theapplicator having the upper shell and the lower shell along the line11-11 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a side elevation view of the exampleof the eyelash curler including the applicator in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a side elevation view of the exampleof the applicator having the upper shell and the lower shell in an openconfiguration

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a side perspective view of the exampleof the applicator having the upper shell and the lower shell in an openconfiguration.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the upper shellof the applicator.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a common shape of an eyelid of a userof the eyelash curler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before explaining at least one example of the invention in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and to the arrangements of the componentsset forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.The Figures and written description are provided to teach any personskilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patentprotection is sought. The invention is capable of other embodiments andof being practiced and carried out in various ways. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment areshown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in theart will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercialembodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventions will requirenumerous implementation—specific decisions to achieve the developer'sultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. While these efforts may becomplex and time-consuming, these efforts nevertheless would be aroutine undertaking for those of skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting. For example, the use of a singular term, such as,“a” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also the use ofrelational terms, such as but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,”“right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” are used in thedescription for clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims.Further, it should be understood that any one of the features of theinvention may be used separately or in combination with other features.Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention willbe or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination ofthe Figures and the detailed description. It is intended that all suchadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included withinthis description, be within the scope of the present invention, and beprotected by the accompanying claims. The terms “approximately” or“about” as used throughout the specification and the claims of thisapplication are hereby defined to mean plus or minus five percent (5%)of a given value.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example of aneyelash curler 100 including an applicator 110 having an upper shell 112and a lower shell 114. Referring to FIG. 1, the eyelash curler 100includes the applicator 110, a first arm 120, and a second arm 130. Thefirst arm 120 includes a first handle 124 and the second arm 130includes a second handle 134. The first and second handles 124, 134 ofthis example are plastic and coated with silicone but may be formed ofother materials and may have other shapes such as handles with openingsas used in conventional scissors.

In this example, the first arm 120 includes a right arm 121 and a leftarm 122 that are adjacent and in contact with one another at one end ofthe eyelash curler 100 that is adjacent to the first handle 124 anddiverge to opposite sides as they reach the upper shell 112. The secondarm 130 includes a right arm 131 and a left arm 132 that are adjacentand in contact with one another at one end of the eyelash curler 100that is adjacent to the second handle 134 and diverge to opposite sidesas they reach the lower shell 114.

The first arm 120 and the second arm 130 intersect at a point ofintersection 150, and the right and left arms 121, 122 of the first arm120 and the right and left arms 131, 132 of the second arm 130 traveltogether from one end of the curler 100 until the point of intersection150. At the point of intersection 150, the first right and left arms121, 122 cross over the second right and left arms 131, 132 and divergefrom one another. The right arm 121 of the first arm 120 extends to aright end of the lower shell 114, the left arm 122 of the first arm 120extends to a left end of the lower shell 114, the right arm 131 of thesecond arm 130 extends to a right end of the upper shell 112, and theleft arm 132 of the second arm 130 extends to a left end of the uppershell 112.

Still referring to the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the curler 100also includes a spring element 140. In this example the spring element140 is attached at one end to the first handle 124 and at the other endto the second handle 134. The spring element 140 maintains a tensionthat is formed between the first arm 120 and the second arm 130. As thefirst arm 120 is moved by a user away from the second arm 130, theapplicator 110 opens. That is, the first shell 112 is moved away fromthe second shell 114 to allow a user to insert their eyelashes betweenthe two shells 112, 114. As the first arm 120 is moved back by the usertowards the second arm 130, the two shell 112, 114 comes together againto press on the eyelashes and perform the curling function.

The upper shell 112 includes an upper arm receiving member 112 a thatextends behind the upper shell 112 for receiving the second right andleft arms 131, 132. Similarly, the lower shell 114 may include a lowerarm receiving member 114 a that extends behind the lower shell 114 forreceiving the first right and left arms 121, 122. The arm receivingmembers 112 a, 114 a may be formed of the same or similar material asthe upper and lower shells 112, 114.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a front elevation view of the exampleof the eyelash curler 100 including the applicator 110 having the uppershell 112 and the lower shell 114. Referring to FIG. 2, the applicator110 is shown in a closed configuration where the upper shell 112 and thelower shell 114 are in contact. As also described in reference to FIG.1, the second right and left arms 131, 132 are shown as extendingtogether until the point of intersection 150 at which point they divergeand extend to opposite ends of the upper shell 112. Because this is afront view, the connection between the second right and left arms 131,132 and the upper shell 112 is not shown. Further, the first right andleft arms 121, 122 are shown diverging at the point of intersection 150and connecting to opposite ends of the lower shell 114. Because this isa front view, the connection between the first right and left arms 121,122 and the first handle 124 is not shown while the connection betweenthe second right and left arms 131, 132 and the second handle 134 isshown.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a back elevation view of the example ofthe eyelash curler 100 including the applicator 110 having the uppershell 112 and the lower shell 114. Referring to FIG. 3, the first rightand left arms 121, 122 are shown as extending together until the pointof intersection 150 at which point they diverge and extend to oppositeends of the lower shell 114. The connection between the first right andleft arms 121, 122 and the upper shell 112 is shown. Further, the secondright and left arms 131, 132 are shown connecting to opposite ends ofthe upper shell 113. Because this is a back view, the connection betweenthe second right and left arms 131, 132 and the second handle 134 is notshown while the connection between the first right and left arms 121,122 and the first handle 124 is shown.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the applicator 110 in the preferredexample does not include a cage. A cage is typically formed by theattachment of arms such as the arms 120, 130 of the curler 100 to theapplicator 110. In the preferred example, there is no cage as a resultof the attachment mechanism between the arms 120, 130 and the applicator110 because the arms 120, 130 are positioned entirely behind the uppershell 112 and lower shell 114 such that they do not interfere with theuser's eyelashes while the curler 100 is being used.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a top elevation view of the example ofthe eyelash curler 100 including the applicator 110 and the upper shell112. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a bottom elevation view of theexample of the eyelash curler 100 including the applicator 110 and thelower shell 114. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first arm 120, thesecond arm 130, the right and left arms 121, 122 of the first arm 120,the right and left arms 131, 132 of the second arm 130, the first handle124, and the second handle 134 are all shown. In addition, referring toFIG. 4, the upper arm receiving member 112 a is shown, and referring toFIG. 5, the lower arm receiving member 114 a is shown. Further, theconcave dimensions of the upper shell 112 and the lower shell 114 areillustrated.

In a preferred example, the upper shell 112 and the lower shell 114 mayform a substantially similar concave outer surface for receiving theeyelashes of a user. The upper shell 112 and lower shell 114 may alsoform different concave surfaces. In this example, the upper shell 112has a semi-circular shape formed by the circumference of a circle havingradius r₁. The angle θ formed by the intersection of the lines normal tothe opposite ends 112 b, 112 c of the upper shell 112 may range fromabout 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In the preferred example, theangle θ is about 90 degrees or greater.

Similarly the lower shell 114 has a semi-circular shape formed by thecircumference of a circle having radius r₂. The angle α formed by theintersection of the lines normal to the opposite ends 114 b, 114 c ofthe lower shell 114 may range from about 80 degrees to about 120degrees. In the preferred example, the angle α is about 101 degrees orgreater.

Still referring to FIG. 5, in an example, the radius r₁ of the uppershell 112 and the radius r₂ of the lower shell 114 are substantiallyequal but not identical in value. In an example, the radii r₁, r₂ asmeasured from a top, planar view may range from about 15 mm to about 25mm but the shapes of the shells 112, 114 are not limited to thesedimensions. In a preferred example, the radius r₁ of the upper shell 112is about 20.6 mm and the radius r₂ of the lower shell 114 is about 20.0mm.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a side elevation view of the example ofthe eyelash curler 100 in a closed configuration including theapplicator 110 having the upper shell 112 and the lower shell 114. FIG.12 is a diagram illustrating a side elevation view of the example of theeyelash curler 100 in an open configuration including the applicator 110having the upper shell 112 and the lower shell 114.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 12, the first arm 120, the second arm 130, theright arm 121, 121 of the first arm 120, the right arm 131 of the secondarm 130, the first handle 124, and the second handle 134 are all shown.Also, the upper arm receiving member 112 a, the lower arm receivingmember 114 a are shown and attached to the upper shell 112 and lowershell 114, respectively. The spring element 140 is shown being attachedto the first handle 124 and the second handle 134. In a preferredexample, the attachment of the spring element 140 to the handles 124,134 is at the interior portion of the handles 124, 134 such that thespring element 140 is embedded between both handles 124, 134.

Referring to FIG. 12, the attachment between the upper shell 112 and theupper arm receiving member 112 a forms a first angle β₁ between the backsurface of the upper shell 112 and the upper arm receiving member 112 a.In turn, this is also the angle between the back surface of the uppershell 112 and the extension of the second arm 130. Similarly, theattachment between the lower shell 114 and the lower arm receivingmember 114 a forms a second angle β₂ between the back surface of thelower shell 114 and the lower arm receiving member 114 a. In turn, thisis also the angle between the back surface of the lower shell 114 andthe extension of the first arm 120. In this example, the first angle β₁and the second angle β₂ are equal and about 90 degrees. In otherexamples, the angles β₁, β₂ are different and may range in value fromabout 60 degrees to about 120 degrees.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 are diagrams illustrating different view ofthe applicator 100 with the upper shell 112 and the lower shell 114 in aclosed configuration. Referring to FIGS. 7-11, the upper shell 112extends from the first end 112 b to the second end 112 c to form aconcave surface, and includes the for receiving the second arm 130. Thelower shell 114 extends from the first end 114 b to the second end 114 cto form a concave surface, and includes the upper arm receiving member114 a for receiving the second arm 120.

In a preferred example, the lower shell 114 includes a rubber pad 118and a rib holder 116 for holding the rubber pad 118. Referring the FIG.11, showing a cross section of the applicator 100 along the line 11-11as illustrated in FIG. 7, the rubber pad 118 may act to provide acushion grip to enhance the curling results and/or provide a structuralsupport element that provides a more rigid surface to the lower shell114. The rubber pad 118 is supported and held in place by the rib holder116. A height h₁ of the applicator 110 at one end may be approximatelythe same as the height at the other end and different than a height h₂at the line 11-11 going through a middle portion of the applicator 110in a closed configuration. Both the upper surface of the upper shell 112and the lower surface of the lower shell 114 curve upwardly, and in thepreferred example the heights h₁, h₂ not the same. In a preferredexample, the height h₁ is about 9.4 mm and h₂ is about 12.3 mm, and theheights h₁, h₂ may range from about 9 mm to about 13 mm but are notlimited to these dimensions.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a side elevation view of the exampleof the applicator 110 having the upper shell 112 and the lower shell 114in an open configuration. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a sideperspective view of the example of the applicator 110 having the uppershell 112 and the lower shell 114 in an open configuration. Referring toFIGS. 13 and 14, the upper shell 112 and the lower shell 114 form anopening 117 for receiving a user's eyelashes when in an openconfiguration. As described above, the upper shell 112 and the lowershell 114 separate and are opened when the first arm 120 and the secondarm 130 are moved away from each other. Accordingly, a user may adjustthe size of the opening 117 by moving the first arm 120 and the secondarm 130 with respect to one another.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the upper shell112 of the applicator. Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 15, the upper shell112 includes three points P1, P2, P3 at its bottom bending edge. Themidpoint P2 is equidistant from the endpoints P1, P3. As shown in FIG.13, the vertical distance d from one endpoint P3 to the midpoint P2 isapproximately 4.5 mm and in a preferred example may range fromapproximately 4 mm to 5 mm. The angle γ formed by a line going throughone endpoint P3 to the midpoint P2 and a line that is parallel with theextension the upper arm receiving member 112 a, is approximately 40degrees and in a preferred example may range from approximately 35degrees to approximately 45 degrees. Referring to FIG. 15, in apreferred example, a circle that goes through the endpoints P1, P3 andthe midpoint P2 has a radius of approximately 36 mm to 38 mm andpreferably ranges from 35 mm to 40 mm. In a preferred example, astraight line from one endpoint P1 to the other endpoint P3 isapproximately 29.00 mm or greater.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a common shape of an eyelid andeyelashes of a user of the eyelash curler. This diagram illustrates themost common shape which the eyelash curler 100, specifically the bottombending edge of the upper shell 112 of the eyelash curler 100, aims toemulate. The vertical distance a shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to thedistance d discussed above in reference to FIG. 13, and the distance bcorresponds to the distance from one endpoint P1 to the other endpointP3 discussed above in reference to FIG. 13. Accordingly, the shape ofthe bottom bending edge of the upper shell 112 is as similar as possibleto the common eyelid shape so that the bending edge of the upper shell112 may bend the eyelash as close to the root of each hair of theeyelash as possible. In an aspect, this provides an advantageous, moreeffective, and longer lasting curling shape to the eyelash as a resultof being bent at the root, or as close to the eyelid as possible.

In an example, a method of using the eyelash curler 100 includesseparating the upper shell 112 from the lower shell 114 using a firstarm 120 and a second arm 130, inserting a user's eyelashes in an opening117 formed by the upper shell 112 from the lower shell 114, closing theupper shell 112 from the lower shell 114 using the first arm 120 and thesecond arm 130, applying a pressure and a curvature to a user'seyelashes, and releasing the user's eyelashes by again separating theupper shell 112 from the lower shell 114 using the first arm 120 and thesecond arm 130.

In an aspect, it should appreciated that advantages of the eyelashcurler 100 include providing a cage-free and long-extending eyelashcurving surface. Specifically, the applicator 110 provides the mostideal shape and surface for the most effective curvature of a user'seyelashes. Other advantages include providing a product that is easy touse and configured to apply a curvature to a user's eyelashes quickly.Further, the eyelash curler 100 is portable, graspable by a user using asingle hand, and is easy to carry. It should be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that the advantages of the eyelash curler 100 are notlimited to those described herein and are merely examples of theadvantages of the invention.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that theinvention disclosed herein is not limited to the particular embodimentsdisclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spiritand scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus adapted to curl a user's eyelashes,comprising: a first arm having a first end and a second end; a secondarm having a first end and a second end, the second arm joined to thefirst arm; and an applicator comprising: an upper shell that is attachedto the first end of the first arm; and a lower shell that is attached tothe first end of the second arm, wherein a surface of the upper shell isconfigured to face the user's eyelashes and has a concave curve thatextends approximately 90 degrees or greater from one side to anotherside.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a surface of the lower shellis configured to face the user's eyelashes and has a concave curve thatextends approximately 101 degrees or greater from one side to anotherside.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a spring elementattaching the first arm to the second arm at a position that is adjacentto the second end of the first arm and the second end of the second arm.4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first handle attachedto the second end of the first arm and a second handle attached to thesecond end of the second arm.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, inresponse to the first handle and the second handle being pressedtogether, the upper shell of the applicator and the lower shell of theapplicator are separated.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the firstarm comprises a left arm and a right arm that are in contact with oneanother and diverge at an intersection of the first arm with the secondarm, the left arm connecting to the one side of the upper shell and theright arm connecting to the another side of the upper shell.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the second arm comprises a left arm and aright arm that are in contact with one another and diverge at theintersection of the first arm with the second arm, the left armconnecting to the one side of the lower shell and the right armconnecting to the another side of the lower shell.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first end of the first arm intersects the uppershell at an approximately 90 degree angle.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first end of the second arm intersects the lower shell at anacute angle.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the left arm and theright arm of the first arm are parallel to the left arm and the rightarm of the second arm.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a firstheight of the upper shell at the one side is the same as a second heightof the upper shell at the another side, and the first height and thesecond height are different from a third height at a middle of the uppershell.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a radius of curvature ofthe upper shell is approximately 20.6 mm.
 13. An apparatus adapted tocurl a user's eyelashes, comprising: a first arm having a first end anda second end; a second arm having a first end and a second end, thesecond arm joined to the first arm; and an applicator comprising: anupper shell that is attached to the first end of the first arm; and alower shell that is attached to the first end of the second arm, whereina surface of the lower shell is configured to face the user's eyelashesand has a concave curve that extends approximately 101 degrees orgreater from one side to another side.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein a surface of the upper shell is configured to face the user'seyelashes and has a concave curve that extends approximately 90 degreesor greater from one side to another side.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13,further comprising a spring element attaching the first arm to thesecond arm at a position that is adjacent to the second end of the firstarm and the second end of the second arm.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13,further comprising a first handle attached to the second end of thefirst arm and a second handle attached to the second end of the secondarm.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein, in response to the firsthandle and the second handle being pressed together, the upper shell ofthe applicator and the lower shell of the applicator are separated. 18.The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second arm comprises a left armand a right arm that are in contact with one another and diverge at anintersection of the first arm with the second arm, the left armconnecting to the one side of the lower shell and the right armconnecting to the another side of the lower shell.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 18, wherein the first arm comprises a left arm and a right armthat are in contact with one another and diverge at the intersection ofthe first arm with the second arm, the left arm connecting to the oneside of the upper shell and the right arm connecting to the another sideof the upper shell.
 20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first endof the first arm intersects the upper shell at an approximately 90degree angle.
 21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first end ofthe second arm intersects the lower shell at an acute angle.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 19, wherein the left arm and the right arm of thefirst arm are parallel to the left arm and the right arm of the secondarm.
 23. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a first height of the lowershell at the one side is the same as a second height of the lower shellat the another side, and the first height and the second height aredifferent from a third height at a middle of the lower shell.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein a radius of curvature of the lower shellis approximately 20 mm.
 25. An apparatus adapted to curl a user'seyelashes, comprising: a first arm having a first end and a second end;a second arm having a first end and a second end, the second arm joinedto the first arm; and an applicator comprising: an upper shell that isattached to the first end of the first arm; and a lower shell that isattached to the first end of the second arm, wherein an edge of theupper shell comprises a first endpoint, a second endpoint, and amidpoint, and a line extending through the first endpoint and themidpoint forms an acute angle with a line that is parallel to anextension of the first end of the first arm.
 26. The apparatus of claim25, wherein the acute angle is approximately 40 degrees.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 25, wherein a distance from the first endpoint to thesecond endpoint is approximately 29 mm.
 28. The apparatus of claim 25,wherein a phantom circle extending through the first end point, themidpoint, and the second endpoint has a radius ranging fromapproximately 36 mm to approximately 38 mm.
 29. The apparatus of claim25, wherein a distance from the first endpoint or the second endpoint tothe midpoint is approximately 4.5 mm.